In his blog Play Journal, Pat Kane offers a thought-provoking entry about the role of the craftsman. Citing the Draft Craft Manifesto, Pat expands on the role that craftsmanship — that making — plays in our work lives, commitment to our jobs, and so forth. Key points from the manifesto:

People get satisfaction for being able to create/craft things because they can see themselves in the objects they make. This is not possible in purchased products.

The things people make they usually want to keep and update. Crafting is not against consumption. It is against throwing things away.

People seek recognition for the things they have made. Primarily it comes from their friends and family. This manifests as an economy of gifts.

People who believe they are producing genuinely cool things seek broader exposure for their products. This creates opportunities for alternative publishing channels.

Work inspires work. Seeing what other people have made generates new ideas and designs.

Craft-oriented people seek opportunities to discover interesting things and meet their makers. This creates marketplaces.

When was the last time you recognized a colleague or partner’s craftsmanship? How might you incorporate this idea into your work? What have you made lately?